Keeping Stories Alive
The Hereford Heaven Round-Up Club of Sulphur, Oklahoma recently hosted a special weekend event in their arena: Rodeo University. Led by breakaway roping competitor and teacher Chelsea Novosad, the weekend drew ladies ranging from 12 to 34 years old from several states and stages of roping experience.
After much prayer and deliberation, Molly and Adam Hamilton moved across the country to develop a new niche within the roping field where all feel welcome. They landed in Shawnee, Oklahoma and established their vision through the creation of Arrow H Ranch. This young couple and their two sons are committed to providing an uplifting, encouraging environment for ropers of all ages and skill levels to come pursue their passions and forget the stress of the outside world.
When the United Rodeo Association (URA) was looking for their next president, Jeanette Jilek stepped up and assumed the role, becoming the first female president since the URA’s inception in 1962.
While new to the leadership role, Jilek’s roots run deep in the URA world as a competitor for over 28 years. Jeanette started competing as a young girl growing up in Missouri.
At only 17, Kaydence Crawford recently signed to attend Ranger College and rope under the guidance of rodeo coach Llew Rust. She holds her own in competition, as was especially apparent in the race for the fastest time at the American against her stepmother Jackie Hobbs-Crawford. Her future as a roper is undoubtedly bright with the wisdom of fellow competitors and her parents surrounding her.
At nine years old, Erin Johnson swung her first rope. Standing out front of a barn with her father, she remembers the trademark of the Rattler ropes in those years before EquiBrand–a braided and waxed inch and a half tail that resembled its namesake’s warning mechanism. While no warning was apparent on this ordinary day, this rope sparked the foundation to form a very competitive roper who just a few weeks ago roped one in 1.9 at Fort Worth.
For a group of women just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, breakaway roping is providing hope in the face of one of life’s most daunting challenge–a cancer diagnosis.
Friends Beth Papotnik, Brian Ralicki, and Amy and John Lucsko recently started the nonprofit Breakaway From Cancer 2022 as a beacon of support for those battling cancer in the equine industry.
Some folks are born with rodeo in their blood. Maybe it is genetic, or maybe it is a God-given surprise. Perhaps it is both. From the first glimpse of the arena lights, a stirring happens deep inside. When this is paired with a love of horses, passion is born.
Occasionally people have the opportunity to act on this innate passion from childhood, but many grow up in neighborhoods removed from the rodeo world. These individuals have to work extra hard and burn up the highway to make their goals and dreams come true.
Canadian-born cowgirl Shelby Boisjoli has made her mark on the foundation of the breakaway roping industry, gaining acclaim with quick catches, hard stops, and fast times.
Growing up in a rodeo family, Shelby was riding alongside her sisters at a young age. No stranger to hard work, her father never bought her and her siblings’ expensive finished horses, but instead taught them the value of making their quality mounts through lots of wet saddle blankets. Perhaps the most impactful of these childhood horses was Flop, who carried Shelby and each of her sisters to provincial titles from grades six to twelve. This amazing gelding taught her what a good breakaway horse should feel like and provides the standard for what she looks for in horses today.
Breakaway roping has gained momentum in the rodeo world over the past year, leaving many passionate women hopeful as they now face better odds of being able to make a living swinging a rope. While the new jackpots and growing inclusion at rodeos is both exciting and long awaited, the most promising aspect of the industry is the firm foundation created by the women who are the face of this fresh journey.
The Savage Cowgirl is a brand of vibrant energy and soulful spirit, looking to promote the explosive sport of breakaway roping and provide a path for those new to the sport while also giving veteran ropers the resources they need to thrive.
